Eccles RFC

REPORT

Players and parents travelled the 72 miles to Kendal by coach, provided by the club, and arrived at the host's impressive facilites in good spirits. The colts were determined to improve on a 61-5 heavy defeat dished out in October by a strong opponent with a physical dominant pack and build on the momentum of a very good performance against Makos the previous weekend. Kendal sportingly loaned 14-man Eccles a winger to ensure an even-sided contest and the game kicked off in mild conditions on an excellent 1st team pitch surface.

Eccles began with intensity and following a terrific turnover in midfield from Flanker Max Mulligan, kept possession and built pressure to pound away at the Kendal line, with tighthead Big John Saunders eventually smashing through the defence to score the opening try with 6 minutes played in the corner. The first points on the board belong to Eccles (0-5). Kendal, perhaps expecting an easier start, immeadiatly pounded away at Eccles defence and equalled the score on 10 mins through a driving maul (5-5). Their forwards continued to truck up the middle with a predictable but effective Pick N Go game resulting in a second try on 19 mins (12-5). Eccles responded to this set back superbly and through aggressive attacking rugby Dan Delaney scored under the posts to equal the score (12-12).  As the seconds ticked down to half time, the Kendal winger powered down the right evading tackles to put them ahead at thre break in a very competitive evenly matched game, with Eccles very much in it.  17-12 HT.

A very frustrating start to the second half however saw the big Kendal forwards reassert their truck and trailer tactic and, aided by some contentious play, the hosts scored three quick sucessive tries in 10 minutes (34-12) to put them in control. Eccles were in no mood to lie down and battled back with admirable persistence taking the game to the hosts, with sustained pressure and great support play between back rowers Mulligan and White, providing an opportunity for Alex Speakman to weave through to score (34-17) on 57 mins. Eccles' ferocious and committed tackling, in particular from Will Timmins, Cammy Smollet and Kai Sumner, pinned the hosts into their own half. A high chop from the Kendal Capt. on the resilient Speakman in midfeild, gave Eccles the opportunity to pile on the pressure for an exciting end to the game, with scoring chances for Olly, Max and Dan all stopped short of the Kendal line, only for another breakaway Pick N Go drive up the middle to result in a home try with a minute to go, much to the audible relief of the large Kendal support.

As with many colts fixtures this season, the final score does not do justice to the effort or character of the lads, the majority of whom are U17s playing in a very competitive U18 division. Kendal, who made the very most of their strong pack, were gracious hosts. Great facilities and welcoming club house. An enjoyable game played in good spirit where, in patches a defiant 14-man Eccles played some great rugby. A honourable defeat. 

TEAM

1 John Saunders, 2 Cameron Smollett, 3 James Hooker, 4 Ollie White, 5 Callum Brady, 6 Kai Sumner, 7 Max Mulligan, 8 Ryley Thornton.

9 Joe Malloy, 10 Alex Speakman, 11 X , 12 Dan Delaney, 13 William Timmins, 14 Cameron MacDonald 15 Tallis Keeler.